Simple Principles to Raise a Successful Child

"Parenting doesn't come with an instruction manual." I'd like to quote the author of this statement but I can't remember where I read it from. And I have to agree. There's just no flowchart....

But then, I found this book of Alex A. Lluch...

I bought it from Jarir Bookstore about two months ago. At first I was skeptical in buying the book but the summary at the back cover convinced me. 

I have just finished reading it and I'm giving it an A+! I'm highly recommending it especially for those parents who are not fond of reading. This reference book does not have many texts to read. It's straightforward and it goes with principles - numbered and bolded - which makes it easy to go back to from time to time.

It tackles a lot of areas in parenting e.g. communication, discipline, motivation, spirituality, and etc. I enjoyed it a lot and took me awhile to finish it because I had to keep reading again and pondering on our parenting style. 

Here are some of my favorites among the 200 Simple Principles...

#3 Play with and tickle your children often.
#8 Learn the power of hugs. Hug your children frequently.
#14 Teach your children the meaning of the word "nonnegotiable."
#21 When you have to say "no," but can't come up with a good reason, simply say, "I cannot let you do that because I love you."
#26 Whenever there is a conflict between you and your children, ask them what they would do if they were the parent.
#51 Concentrate on the positive.
#56 When you are angry, stop to think about what you're going to say before you say it.
#60 Remember, children do not develop positive or negative behaviors unless we reinforce one or the other.
#77 Teach your children the benefits of exercise.
#108 Encourage reading.
#118 Teach children the value of money, saving and investing.
#152 Give your children purpose in life and they will flourish beyond your expectations.
#161 Teach your children that faith is crucial in dealing with life's challenges.
#164 Teach your children that the glass is half full, not half empty.
#174 Don't give the message to your children that rules are made to be kept by children but broken by parents.
#191 You only get one chance at parenting a child. Give it your best shot!

Parenting doesn't come with an instruction manual. I can't say this book supersedes that statement. I'm not a perfect parent either. But this is just SAR 19. I hope you, guys, could grab a copy. SAR 19 is nothing compared to what you could save... Who knows, someone may be missing a lot... 

So, grab one... READ and LIVE IT...

Riyadh's Aviation Museum

'Twas just ten months ago when we first visited the aviation museum and we're back!

I think the holiday wouldn't be up to my level of satisfaction if we didn't get to do the things that we - or I - planned to do. So, on our last day of holiday, we visited Saqr Al Jazeerah again.

Luckily, the museum has a new schedule. 

 

Pardon the confusing information. Saudi's writing system starts from right to left. So, the evening session starts from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM. You must also be wondering about the Saturday part. My husband didn't get a good view but they're also open on Saturdays from 4:30 - 8:30 PM. They charge SAR 10 per adult. Kids were not charged with entrance fees during our visit. If there will be changes, don't worry, the least they should charge kids will be SAR 5.

But then, please plan your visit during winter. Summer is not an ideal time to visit. You'll be soaked with sweat since you'll most probably be excited to see first the aircraft parked in the open area. Oh, please wear rubber shoes as you will do a lot of walking. Flat sandals are okay also but that's if you like your feet getting dusty (outside) and slippery (inside the building).

Bring bottled waters, too. There is an eating area inside the building but when we went on a week day, there was no one except the museum staff and a vending machine that's not working.

In case you'd like to do the same, we brought two camera lens, a 50mm and a 300mm for zooming. We used the zoom lens to capture the entire aircraft from a distance as we missed during our first visit. But then, it's not a must. Phone cams will do. Just beware of capturing some of the locals who visit the place too. Not all of them would want to be in photos. Unless they have their backs, like this one...

And here are some of what you will see inside the building...

Lots of aircraft which I didn't bother to know the names. I don't want to complicate my tour... Seeing them and taking photos of them are good enough...

 

There goes my husband and his friend (who works in an aviation company) giving him a one-minute crash course in flying... Well, yes, you could get into some of the aircraft - as in like take a seat, pose and click the cam shutter!... But then some of the aircraft's cockpit area are already restricted, unlike during our first visit.

The Royal Saudi Air Force Museum, or Saqr Al Jazeerah, is along the Eastern Ring Road. To make your life easy, take the road from Exit 13, head to King Khalid International Airport and in between Exits 10 and 11, on your left, you'll see this big Saudia Lockheed L-1011 Tristar guarding the gates.

So, what are you waiting for?!?!

Enjoy!

Leftover Cookies and Oreos

I have a preschooler who doesn't eat a lot and goes home with leftover cookies. Everyday, we would find unpaired cookies in her snack bag and we would always set it aside. Well, we used to grate the cookies and mix them in vanilla ice cream to have another variety; but then, we don't always buy ice cream. Kids are always prone to tonsillitis and as much as possible I'd like them to minimize sweets especially since their dad was diagnosed with diabetes.

In our case, after six months of assorted leftover cookies, we were able to fill one big bag of Ziploc. It breaks my heart to throw them all thinking of the children who never even got the chance to taste an Oreo and the guilt that eats me every time I think of the Forex conversion cost of each cookie.

So, to save the unwanted cookies and to satisfy my preschooler's sweet tooth, I made them into chocolate balls.

1. Grate the cookies until they become sandy.

2. Mix it with Betty Crocker chocolate frosting.

3. Scoop and mold them until round.

4. Roll the balls in sprinkle candies.

5. Refrigerate.

There you go! Another variety of sweets made from leftover cookies...

Eid Mubarak!

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has only three holidays a year. One of them is the Eid Al Fitr or the Feast of Breaking the Fast, which is celebrated marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan as we all know. For several years now, my family and I have been religiously seeing the fireworks display in Prince Sultan University along King Abdullah Road in Riyadh.

During the past few years, the fireworks display was set at 9:00 PM. However, for whatever reasons we didn't know, it was set at 11:50 this year. As we called our friend, Mr. Loay, he advised that we went as early as 10:30 PM to find a good spot. So, while we - hubby, I, son, daughter and a friend - waited for the display, we took some shots...

 

Then, I had to stop as police cars came around the area and just to be sure my cam won't be snatched away, I lowered the lens... These were taken an hour before the event so the place was still open and welcoming. Few minutes before the fireworks display, not even a bicycle could pass around that area. Take note, this is not even 1/16th of the Prince Sultan University area. The other side must be very very crowded especially when royalties came to see the display too.

And... BOOM!

Fireworks were coming from this side of the buildings...

They look like falling stars...

Nice shot, even captured the smoke!

I love this one a lot! I wish to have fireworks in my wedding... :P

These booms felt like we're gonna be eaten alive! The sounds were thundering and the earth felt like shaking!

Literally heart-pounding!!!

 Credits to my husband for taking good photos of the fireworks which gave me reason to blog...

Well, the fireworks display used to be held three consecutive nights but we're  not really sure if that's gonna happen this time. There are so many changes recently that we are thinking the city is spending little compared to the previous years...

Eid Mubarak, Everyone!!!

A School Program

Haven't been to Toastmasters meetings lately. Home and family are what keeps me busy and I'm loving it. So, I told myself I have to blog it...

You know, for some reasons, I always look forward to the month of August even when I was still in grade school. Other than the fact that I was conceived that month (as I calculated nine months before my birth date), Filipino is my favorite subject and that's when we get to celebrate the Linggo ng Wika. No, the school I went to during elementary didn't have the English speaking policy so I had a very good exposure and training on the Filipino language.

I love Filipino. I love the language. Sometimes, I discourage my kids speaking in English especially when they're home. For me, I feel some situations just don't fit the language. Or I guess I'm just being a killjoy.

My kids had a three-day school program in celebration of the Buwan ng Wika at Nutrisyon. Each student level competed through dance presentation featuring Filipino culture and tradition. My preschooler presented the flower festival, so they danced to the tune of Bulaklak.

Shirt and skirt were tailored-made by yours truly; and so my wish of having a sewing machine was immediately granted. Flower accessories were custom-made by yours truly. We bought flower strands; then,  I glued each piece to a headband and a belt. I also had to cut unused ID laces to use the locks and made them as wrist and foot bands. Good thing I was on the mood for being resourceful that time.

I'd like to acknowledge my mom also for the reinforcement. It's not easy to put my youngest in the mood to dance.. Sorry for the blur, I was standing on a steel bench with few kids jumping and running around it.

My grade school student performed an interpretative dance in the tune of Ang Lahat ay Magkaugnay, by Joey Ayala.

There goes the perfect example of (over) nutrition. They're all healthy!... And costumes were not much of an effort, thank you Teacher!

Here in the kingdom, school programs, such as this, are what we, moms and dads, always look forward to since there are not much of community activities where families get together.

More to come!...